Photo Essay

﻿During the Islamic month of Ramadan, Muslims refrain from consuming food, drinking liquids, smoking, and engaging in sexual relations. This annual observance is regarded as one of the Five Pillars of Islam. In our dossier, we take a look at various perspectives of celebrating RamadanMore

﻿During the Islamic month of Ramadan, Muslims refrain from consuming food, drinking liquids, smoking, and engaging in sexual relations. This annual observance is regarded as one of the Five Pillars of Islam. In our dossier, we take a look at various perspectives of celebrating Ramadan. More »More

﻿﻿There are historical and traditional connections between Christianity and Islam. Now, during the Christmas season, and despite all the differences between the two faiths, we're looking at where they overlap and what they have in common. ﻿More »More

Beyond the daily violence of the Middle East conflict, there are numerous civil society protagonists and initiatives campaigning for comprehensive peace and a two-state solution in the region. We present just a few of them in this dossier. More »More

The Egyptian President's Track Record Thus Far

﻿One hundred days after taking office, Egypt's new President is still a mystery. Sometimes he presents himself as a civilian president, then on other occasions as an uncompromising Islamist. Soon he will have to put his cards on the table. Markus Symank reports from CairoMore

Islam and Women's Rights in Tunisia

﻿Tunisia was once the model for emancipation in the Arab world, but there's now increasing concern over an article in the new constitution which, according to women's and human rights activists, will undermine the equality of the sexes. By Sarah Mersch in TunisMore

﻿There are historical and traditional connections between Christianity and Islam. Now, during the Christmas season, and despite all the differences between the two faiths, we're looking at where they overlap and what they have in common.More

The Holy Month of Ramadan

None of the five pillars of Islam is observed by as many Muslims as fasting in Ramadan. Some people who don't otherwise obey any religious rules fast; others make a conscious decision not to. Stephanie Doetzer spoke to a number of Muslims who have decided not to fastMore

The French Football Star Samir Nasri

The French national football team has regained its strength. And one of the players who had a large part to play in that achievement is Samir Nasri – whose family's roots lie in Algeria. Nasri's hot temper has often caused trouble – both on and off the pitch. By André TucicMore

Islamic Feminism and Reformist Islam

Muslim feminists such as Amina Wadud use the Koran to argue in favour of women's rights and against the patriarchal system. But unfortunately, as Nimet Seker writes, some feminists are falling into the apologist trap and running the risk of politically exploiting IslamMore

Feminism in the Arab World

﻿The predominant image of Arab societies in the West is that of patriarchal systems, oppressive regimes and women in passive, subordinate roles. ﻿Gema Martín Muñoz argues that in order to fully understand the diversity and complexity of the Arab world and the changes taking place there, the West should take a closer look at how women's lives and roles are changing and at the women that are making things happenMore

The anger of the Tunisians and the Egyptians towards the autocratic regimes in their countries has triggered an unprecedented revolt in several states in the Arab world. Our dossier provides an insight into the factors that led to the unrest and an overview of current developments more »More

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Most Recent Photo Essay

According to a WHO report from December 2014, more than one million Syrians have been wounded in the Syrian civil war since the spring of 2011. Some 45 per cent of the injured are children and women; about 10–15 per cent have suffered amputations or disabilities. Daily shelling is the main cause of their injuries. From spring 2014 to early 2015, photographer Kai Wiedenhofer travelled through towns, villages and refugee camps in Jordan and Lebanon, taking pictures of those left scarred by the conflict. He says that by showing the genuine aftermath of this conflict and photographing its victims in a dignified manner, his intention was to raise support for people who are really in need and whose sufferings do not end with the war. "In all my time as a photographer," he says, "I have never witnessed such grave atrocities." All photos in this gallery are by Kai Wiedenhofer

The Uprising of Arab Women

The Arab Spring raised hopes that women in the region would get more rights. They're now standing up for themselves. With Islamist parties winning elections, some fear that women's rights will be reduced again. By Andreas Gorzewski

Symbols and Slogans of the Arab Spring

The innumerable symbols and slogans in graffiti, banners and leaflets that served the Arab demonstrators as a means for political protest against their autocratic rulers were at times rich in metaphor, laconic and ironic, and at other times more direct and accusatory.